The healthcare industry is facing a critical challenge: ensuring infection prevention practices remain robust and consistent in the face of evolving threats. To address this, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) have joined forces to create the Healthcare Infection Prevention Advisory Group (HIPAG).
The formation of HIPAG is a response to the recent elimination of the CDC's Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC), which has left a void in coordinated, multidisciplinary efforts to combat infection prevention and control. This gap has raised concerns about potential variations and inconsistencies in organizational policies and clinical practice, emphasizing the need for a unified approach.
HIPAG aims to bridge this gap by providing timely, evidence-informed advisory expertise that supports the needs of participating organizations and the broader healthcare community. This initiative reflects a shared commitment to enhancing transparency, inclusivity, and scientific rigor in national infection prevention discussions.
The group will include invited representative experts from various fields, including medical societies, healthcare organizations, public health, and patient advocacy groups. By connecting subject matter experts across disciplines and care settings, HIPAG aims to prevent fragmented or duplicative efforts and promote alignment and collaboration.
"HIPAG must reflect the full breadth of expertise and experience in infection prevention and epidemiology," says David Weber, MD, MPH, FIDSA, FSHEA, FRSM, president of SHEA. "We are inviting expert representatives from key medical, public health, and patient groups to ensure broad and inclusive engagement across disciplines. Evidence-informed infection prevention policies save lives—there’s no room for compromise. We owe it to our patients and our field to get this right."
"APIC is proud to partner with SHEA and our colleagues across healthcare and public health in this essential initiative," says Carol McLay, DrPH, MPH, RN, CIC, FAPIC, FSHEA, 2025 APIC president. "HIPAG reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that infection prevention remains science-driven, practical, and grounded in real-world expertise. This collaboration is not only critical to the safety of healthcare delivery—it is key to restoring trust and confidence among patients, families, and the professionals who care for them."
The structure and membership of HIPAG will be finalized in the coming weeks, along with a coordinated communication and engagement plan. Organizations interested in participating or contributing expert representatives are encouraged to contact APIC or SHEA for more information.
About APIC
The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) is the leading professional association for infection preventionists, dedicated to creating a safer world through the prevention of infection.
About SHEA
The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) is a professional society representing physicians and other healthcare professionals in the fields of healthcare epidemiology, infection prevention, and antimicrobial stewardship.
